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Mighty Warriors coach happy with team

Sport
MIGHTY Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi has commended his team's defensive organisation, which helped them earn a valuable point in Saturday's 0-0 draw against South Africa in the two teams' opening African Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) Group A match at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo here.

MIGHTY Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi has commended his team’s defensive organisation, which helped them earn a valuable point in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against South Africa in the two teams’ opening African Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) Group A match at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo here.

BY HENRY MHARA IN YAOUNDE, CAMEROON

Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi
Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi

Zimbabwe, who only had just over a week of preparation for the tournament, were on the back foot for the better part of the match, but showed a high level of tactical discipline to contain the South Africans.

While Banyana Banyana dominated possession, especially in the second half, they never really troubled Mighty Warriors goalkeeper, Chido Dzingirai.

In fact, it was Zimbabwe, who had the better chances in the match with the impressive Rutendo Makore (twice) and Felistas Muzongondi denied by the South African goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, in one-on-one situations.

The performance left Mlauzi impressed.

“We did not have the best of preparations leading to this tournament, but I felt we managed to effect our game plan very well, especially in the first half,” he said.

“In the second period, due to the nature of our preparations, our physical quality and intensity dropped. We allowed South Africa to dominate the ball, but we forced them into areas, where they couldn’t really hurt us. We kept encouraging players, so that they did not lose concentration. It was a hard-earned point because we had to really dig deep against a good opponent.”

South Africa coach, Desiree Ellis also commended his opponents’ defensive graft.

“We could have played for another 30-40 minutes and still failed to score,” she said.

With the draw, Zimbabwe are tied on second position in the group with South Africa, with a real chance of progressing to the semi-final.

Cameroon top the group after their opening 2-0 win over Egypt, also on Saturday.

The top two teams qualify for the semi-finals.

The Mighty Warriors’ next match is against Egypt tomorrow evening, knowing victory could be enough to send them through to the next round.

Kick off for the match is 6pm Zimbabwe time.

Cameroon and South Africa also play tomorrow, with the hosts needing a win to book their ticket to the next stage.

Mlauzi is optimistic his side will defy the odds and make it to the last four.

“Going into the Egypt and Cameroon games, the objective remains the same, and that is to try and win. We showed in the first half that when the physical quality is up there, we are a competitive and good team. We got a good point, which could help us qualify for the next stage. Cameroon are the favourites (to top the group), but are not going to find it easy to get a win against South Africa or us. It’s still game on.”

Zimbabwe, who are making their fourth appearance at the Nations finals and bidding to better their fourth place finish, achieved at the 2002 finals, conclude their group matches on Friday with what promises to be a tough clash against Cameroon.